Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is situated in the beautiful town of Dunblane, with its calm and peaceful community. There are easy links to the motorway network, excellent parking for safe and easy drop off and collection and they are just a short walk to the local train station. The nursery is very much a part of the local community making links with Dunblane, Newton and St. Mary Primary Schools, Dunblane High and Queen Victoria High and providing both nursery and out of school care services.
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based across two buildings, a large two storey sandstone villa and a new build single storey property each with direct access to the outdoor play areas. Each building is divided into specially designed play rooms, beautifully furnished and equipped with a plentiful range of quality resources. They have three secure individual fun gardens for each stage of a child’s development to improve the educational experience they provide, giving the opportunity to explore and investigate a wide range of materials and enjoy physical play in a safe and fun environment.
The two buildings are surrounded by a highly engaging and challenging garden area. The garden design was created through consultation with children, parents and staff to encompass a community project and a sense of place for all to enjoy. When parents come to visit, they will find a haven for children to have fun whilst learning. The under footing will compromise of a mixture of turf, wood chip and stone, the various materials chosen to promote the development of child core stability, which in turn develops the balance from within the inner ear. These materials were also chosen for children to work with as a loose part, enhancing the children’s learning experiences as they pick and choose what materials to work with. Complementing the garden is the newly built kinder kitchen, water run, mud round house, fire and story telling area.
Group: Bertram Nursery Group
Person in charge: Tricia Brownlee (Nursery Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Stirling Council
Number of Staff: 14
Service Offered: Nursery School (Privately Owned), Open all year, Full Day Care, Sessional Day Care
Total Places for Children: 62
Age Range: from 0 years 0 months to 11 years 0 months
Opening Days: Mon-Fri
Opening Hours: 0730-1830
When Closed: Christmas & New Year
Fees Guide: Pre-school funding available
Directions:
Please note that the postcode ends in zeroBD, so if you are putting it into a Sat-Nav please ensure you are entering it correctly.
Parking:
The nursery has its very own car park at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten, which you are more than welcome to use when visiting us. Ideal for drop offs and pick ups for you and your family too!
The Review Score of 7.2 (maximum of 10) for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 18 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 2.5 out of 5 from 18 positive Reviews in the last 2 years. (A 2 year period has been used as there were no positive reviews in the last 12 months)
a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating of all Reviews over all time. For each review the Day Nursery / service is rated Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Poor or Very Poor on a number of areas eg Staff, Management etc. The Day Nursery receives points for each rating as follows: Excellent = 5. Good = 4. Satisfactory = 3. Poor = 2. Very Poor = 1. These points are added up and then divided by the total number of completed ratings to generate the average rating.
The Average Rating of 4.699 for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is calculated as follows: ( (157 Excellents x 5) + (53 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 216 Ratings = 4.699
b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 12 months. If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with 'Extremely Likely' or 'Likely' in answer to the question 'How likely are you to recommend this Day Nursery to friends and family?'
The 5 points available are broken down as follows:
4 points are available for the first 5 Positive Reviews, 3 points for the first Positive Review and then 0.25 Points for each of the next 4 Positive Reviews.
1 point is available for reaching a target number of Positive Reviews based on 20% of the number of registered maximum number of service users. If the target is partially reached then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery with 50 registered maximum number of service users has a target of 10 Positive Reviews, if it has 10 or more Positive Reviews it will receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews will receive 0.7 points.
If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. The calculation is the same as above, except the points are divided by 2.
The 2.5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based on 18 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4 then divided by 2 = 2.000
Target of 12.4 positive Reviews (62 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 18 Reviews ÷ 12.4 Target Reached = 1 , then divided by 2 = 0.500
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has a Review Score of 7.2 (7.199)
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Kevin D (Father of Child) on Tuesday 2 August 2016. Relates to July 2016.
My son started in April 2016 and has been enjoying his experience. I have also been very happy with the staff.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Susan H (Mother of Child) on Monday 1 August 2016. Relates to July 2016.
My son attends 'Dunblane Nature Kindergarten' twice a week. He arrives happy, but is literally jumping with happiness when I collect him. He is always very excited to tell me about his day. He loves being outside anyway, so 'Dunblane Nature Kindergarten' is perfect for him. He gets out pretty much when he wants, is free to explore and play in the spacious outside space. Staff also take the children on local walks regularly, which he loves. He seems to pick up lots of information at nursery, which I suspect comes from the child led approach e.g. he was telling me about fossils recently. He likes the staff and I am very happy to leave him to their care. They are warm, welcoming and very interested in the children and their care.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Kirsty M (Mother of Child) on Saturday 30 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
We have used Dunblane Nature Kindergarten and the after school club for over 4 years and been very happy with the nursery and staff, and will recommend to friends. Our children are happy here and we enjoy the amount of outside time they have and variety of outside play.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Lisa S (Mother of Child) on Friday 22 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
Our 5 year old son has been at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten for 2 years. We travel out of our way to this nursery due to wanting him to have as much time outdoors as possible. The ethos of Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is excellent. It is child-led and they maximise the use of the outdoor space. We particularly value the staffs positives attitude to risky play and feel this is so important for children's development. We are so happy with his experience at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten and the lovely home made food is an added bonus.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Sally G (Mother of Child) on Friday 22 July 2016. Relates to June 2016.
Very happy with our two wee boys at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten. They seem to really love it. The staff are great, they all work really hard to form bonds with the kids. It is great that they are outdoors as much as possible and get lots of fresh air. The family days are good to meet other parents and I would be keen to see a few more of these. Perhaps a sports day or something. It would be good if the kids had a grassy area to play on.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Ewan M (Father of Child) on Tuesday 19 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
An excellent, fun and quirky nursery which offers a good range of outdoor activities and nature based learning. They were excellent at settling in our son and continue to offer him great care.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by andrew (Father of Child) on Wednesday 6 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
We have our daughter at DNK and our son attended previously before starting school. It's a terrific environment in which to learn, particularly with the outdoor focus and child lead format of learning. We would thoroughly recommend it.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by DK (Mother of Child) on Tuesday 5 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
The impact the manager and his team have had on the nursery over the last few years has been brilliant overhauling the environment and focusing on nature based play. My youngest loves it there and regularly goes out into the surrounding community and open spaces to explore with staff and peers. She has developed strong bonds with her key staff who provide care based on knowing her and her personality really well. Great management with motivated staff. They also go beyond expectations to put on parent /children open evenings/events - such as the Xmas party and campfire night.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Fiona E (Mother of Child) on Monday 4 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
Yes I would definitely recommend the nursery our kids, thoroughly enjoy the outdoor aspect and learning about nature ... whatever the weather.
The nursery has a great location and has lots of facilities nearby.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Samantha M (Mother of Child) on Monday 4 July 2016. Relates to June 2016.
Staff are fantastic and I really felt like they did everything they could to settle my son into the nursery. My son loves to be outside and I love that he is able to get out in all weathers and out on walks. I would definitely recommend to anyone else with young children.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Colette M (Mother of Child) on Monday 4 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is a very happy and well run nursery. Great staff. Wonderfully creative ideas for entertaining the children. The children have almost all been outside, at least to the garden if not to park or beyond.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Kerry (Mother of Child) on Monday 4 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
The nursery has a great range of activities for the youngsters to partake in and don't allow age to be a barrier. The fact they will do outside activities regardless of the weather is fantastic as it's good to get the children out in the fresh air (suitable clothing is provided).
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Richard S (Father of Child) on Monday 4 July 2016. Relates to June 2016.
My son loves Dunblane Nature Kindergarten, he always comes back absolutely exhausted which to me is the sign of a good day had by all! The friendliness of the staff is great, and the activities are a nice mix of things that include indoor and outdoor which is important. The centre is secure, well managed and keep in good working order despite the constant toddling by a herd of little people. My son particularly enjoys hunting for bugs in the garden. The reports that the management team provide regarding his progress and activities are very helpful to us, and oftentimes very amusing to read, keep up the good work!
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Helen (Mother of Child) on Thursday 30 June 2016. Relates to June 2016.
My son absolutely loves attending Kindergarten, he's always excited on the mornings he goes in. I feel he has come on leaps and bounds since starting. His confidence has improved and his communication skills are incredible. When I pick him up the staff are always very informative, I get a breakdown of his day. If I have mentioned that we have been working on something at home, the staff take the time to work on it with him also. I get a happy, tired boy back at the end of an adventurous day, I couldn't ask for more.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Jane M (Mother of Child) on Thursday 30 June 2016. Relates to June 2016.
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is a great environment for kids to learn through play, exploration and group sessions. Our child has attended since the baby room and is now in her pre-school year. The staff are lovely and very helpful at drop offs when children can be a little clingy. They will reassure them and help them find an activity or friend to play with . Also at the end of the day, it is lovely to get a brief summary of what the kids have been doing that day.
The outdoor ethos of the nursery is great and the children are encouraged to play out in all weathers if they wish. The nursery has excellent outdoor areas with pirate castle, outdoor classroom, hideaway, secret gardens and with the Allan water and Leighhills Park being a short stroll, it is great that the nursery make the most of the available local environment. I am happy that my child comes home happy and has had plenty of fresh air fun.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by J S (Mother of Child) on Sunday 26 June 2016. Relates to June 2016.
Facilities are excellent. Staff are friendly. Staff are supportive. The nursery is relaxed. You get the impression that nothing is a problem. The food is varied. Staff always know what your child has eaten. How much. How much sleep they have had. Activities are often spontaneous, around what the child wants to do. I just love this place.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Jackie (Mother of Child) on Friday 24 June 2016. Relates to June 2016.
My son has some developmental needs and the staff involved with him have acted with intelligence and pragmatism and have really helped to bring on his confidence and his development.
Conversations about him and his needs are conducted with empathy and compassion, you also know that staff are pushing him to be the best he can be.
As a parent with a wee person who is struggling developmentally I would not hesitate to recommend this nursery and its staff, their person centred approach means that his needs on any given day are catered for and that short medium and long term goals for his development are considered and implemented.
It is a very comfortable experience for us as parents and for my son who is thriving.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Morven L (Mother of Child) on Friday 24 June 2016. Relates to June 2016.
Our son has been at DNK for a year and we are very happy with the standards there.
He is always happy to go and the welcome from the lovely staff is heartwarming.
All the children seem happy at the nursery, which I think speaks volumes about the care they receive.
How likely would you be to recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten? Extremely Likely
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March 2018
July 2010
Job Title: Nursery Manager
Joined: 2017
Description:
With a professional qualification in childcare many years of experience working with children of all ages Tricia manages her nursery and staff team to ensure we provide a secure family environment where you can feel relaxed and confident in the knowledge that your child is being cared for by dedicated staff in a safe environment.